CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of solid, liquid or gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with gas, oil, kerosene, wood or coal may produce CO. If such appliances are not installed, maintained, and used properly, CO may accumulate to dangerous levels. All fuel burning appliances have the potential to produce CO in varying concentrations.

Properly installed and maintained, natural gas equipment will not release carbon monoxide into your home.

After being inhaled, CO is absorbed into the bloodstream, taking the place of oxygen in the blood cells forming Carboxyhemoglobin. Tissues with the highest oxygen needs are most affected by CO including the brain, heart and other large muscles. Breathing CO causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and weakness in healthy people. CO also causes sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation. At very high levels it causes loss of consciousness and death. This is particularly dangerous because CO effects often are not recognized. CO is odorless and some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu or other common illnesses.

If members of your household have these symptoms at home, but feel better away from home, carbon monoxide or other pollutants might be suspected. In very severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause brain damage and death.

CO exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants, and people with anemia or a history of heart disease. Breathing low levels of CO can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. Remember even healthy people are at risk from this silent killer

Health effects vary depending on age, sex, weight and overall state of health,

the following therefore is approximate:

At 400 PPM, frontal headaches occur within 1 to 2 hours, life threatening after 3 hours.

At 800 PPM, nausea & convulsions occur within 20 minutes, death within 2 hours.

At 1600 PPM, nausea occurs within 20 minutes, death within 1 hour.

At 12800 PPM, death within 1 to 3 minutes.

New studies indicate that chronic, low level exposure can also have serious health consequences. The EPA recommends 9 PPM CO or lower as an ambient air quality goal averaged over 8 hours and 35 PPM or lower over 1 hour

What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide is present
If you suspect a problem with your heating equipment but do not notice any physical symptoms, open the windows and call your local Consumers Gas office. If someone in your home is experiencing symptoms, evacuate and seek medical help. Call 911 or your local fire department.

A qualified service technician (or qualified home inspector) should check your home's central and room heating appliances including water heaters and gas dryers annually. The technician should also look at the electrical & mechanical components of appliances, such as thermostat controls and automatic safety devices.
-Chimneys and flues should be checked for blockages, corrosion, and loose connections.
-Individual appliances should be serviced regularly. Kerosene and gas space heaters

(vented and unvented) should be cleaned and inspected to insure proper operation.
Installation:
-Proper installation is critical to the safe operation of combustion appliances.

-Local building codes should be followed as well.
-Vented appliances should be vented properly, according to manufacturer's instructions.
-Adequate combustion air should be provided to assure complete combustion.
-All combustion appliances should be installed by professionals.
Appliance Use:
-Follow manufacturer's directions for safe operation.
-Make sure the room where an unvented gas or kerosene space heater is used is well -ventilated; doors leading to another room should be open to insure proper ventilation.

Are there signs that might indicate improper appliance operation?

Yes, these are: Decreasing hot water supply
Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly
Sooting, especially on appliances
Unfamiliar or burning odor
Increased condensation inside windows.

Are there visible signs that might indicate a CO problem?
Yes, these are:
Improper connections on vents & chimneys.

Visible rust or stains on vents & chimneys

An appliance that makes unusual sounds or emits an unusual smell.

An appliance that keeps shutting off, many new appliances have safety components attached

that prevent operation if an unsafe condition exists. If an appliance stops operating, it may be because a safety device is preventing a dangerous condition,

therefore, don't try to operate an appliance that keeps shutting off; call a service person.

Are there other ways to prevent CO poisoning?

CO DETECTION

Yes, these are:

Never use a range or oven to heat the living areas of the home. Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in the home.

Never keep a car running in an attached garage

Can CO be detected?
Yes, CO can be detected with CO detectors that meet the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2034.
Since the toxic effect of CO is dependent upon both CO concentration and length of exposure, long-term exposure to a low concentration can produce effects similar to short term exposure to

a high concentration. Detectors that meet the UL standard measure both high CO concentrations over short periods of time and low CO concentrations over long periods of time. The effects of CO can be cumulative over time. Detectors sound an alarm before the level of CO in a person's blood would become crippling.

If you own a carbon monoxide detector, or if you are thinking of purchasing one, make sure that you install, maintain, and replace your unit in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Many detectors have specific instructions that are necessary to ensure the best performance from the unit.

Where should the detector be installed?
CO gases distribute evenly and fairly quickly throughout the house; therefore, a CO detector should be installed on the wall or ceiling in sleeping area/s but outside individual bedrooms to

alert occupants who are sleeping.
Aren't there safety devices already on some appliances? If so, is a CO detector still needed?
Vent safety shutoff systems have been required on furnaces and vented heaters sine the late 1980s. They protect against blocked or disconnected vents or chimneys.
Oxygen depletion sensors (ODS) have also been installed on unvented gas space heaters since

the 1980s. ODS protect against the production of CO caused by insufficient oxygen for proper combustion.These devices (ODSs and vent safety shutoff systems) are not a substitute for regular professional servicing, and many older, potentially CO-producing appliances may not have such devices. Therefore, a CO detector is still important in any home as another line of defense.

If no one is ill, and you can't find the reason for the alarm, and the alarm continues to sound, call the Consumers Gas Support Centre or a qualified heating contractor for a complete inspection of your appliances. There is a charge for this service.

Carbon monoxide detectors are recommended as a second line of defence. The first line of defence against a CO hazard is regular maintenance and safe use of your gas appliances and venting systems.